Driver hits pedestrian after allegedly falling asleep at the wheel

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On February 20, 2025, Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) received a call from a man who reported that he had accidentally hit a pedestrian when he fell asleep behind the wheel of a Dial-a Ride vehicle.

The defendant was later charged with:

Count 1: Careless Driving with Injuries, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Failure to Exercise Due Care, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both; and,

Count 3: Duty Upon Striking Fixtures, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both.

There was no bail set for the defendant.

According to the court affidavit, on Feb. 20th, around 6:48 a.m., Mr. Filipo Filipo (later identified as the defendant) called the FPS to report a one-vehicle accident which involved a pedestrian. FPS dispatched traffic units to respond to the reported accident.

While responding, the dispatcher transmitted information via police radio that the pedestrian involved in the accident was transported by a private vehicle to meet the EMS unit.

Police officers arrived on the scene and observed a man sitting in the front passenger side seat of a Dial-A-Ride vehicle. The man was wearing a seatbelt.

The driver of the vehicle assisted the officers in removing the passenger from the crashed vehicle and no injuries were observed on passenger’s body. The passenger was then put into a police unit for transportation to his regular appointment at the LBJ Hospital.

The defendant was interviewed and he explained that he had gone to pick up one of his scheduled patients for transport to the LBJ Hospital for his usual appointment.

However, while making their way from the pick up point, he fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed the Dial-a-Ride vehicle on the roadside while going uphill. The officers asked the defendant if he saw the pedestrian crossing the road and he replied he did not. The defendant stated that the passenger quickly shouted and said “to watch the car” and that’s when he realized that he had gotten into an accident.

The officers further asked the defendant about his shift for Dial-a-Ride and he replied that he started his shift at 10:00 p.m. the previous night. The defendant explained that he was on his last task of the shift when he fell asleep and crashed the vehicle.

The defendant also struck and damaged a Tsunami evacuation sign that was posted on the roadside after his vehicle struck the victim.

At about 8:24 a.m., authorities cited the defendant for traffic violation and they proceeded to the LBJ Hospital to make contact and follow up on the injuries of the pedestrian involved in the accident.

The officers met with the pedestrian who was conscious at the time. He had received stitches on his left forearm and had abrasions around the stitches. The officers also observed abrasions on the victim’s back which was covered with medical patches. The pedestrian/victim was discharged from the hospital after having his injuries treated.

The defendant is identified as a 42-year-old male.